- Young puppies need about three times their resting energy, dropping to about twice from four months.
- Feed 3 to 4 measured meals a day at first, down to 2 by around six months.
- Large-breed puppies need large-breed puppy food and slow, steady growth.
- Switch to adult food at around 12 months for most dogs, later for large and giant breeds.
On this page
Why puppies need puppy food
Puppy food has more energy and protein per bowl than adult food, and a carefully set balance of calcium and phosphorus for growing bones. That balance matters most for large breeds: too much energy makes them grow too fast, and too much calcium disrupts normal bone development; both raise the risk of joint problems. Choose a food made for your puppy's expected adult size, and do not add calcium supplements unless your vet tells you to.
How much to feed a puppy
Vets start from resting energy (70 × body weight in kg to the power of 0.75), times about 3 until four months old and about 2 from four months until adult size. For Gosbi Exclusive Puppy, at 3,915 kcal per kg:
| Puppy's weight today | Under 4 months | 4 months to adult |
|---|---|---|
| 2 kg | 353 kcal · 90 g | 235 kcal · 60 g |
| 4 kg | 594 kcal · 152 g | 396 kcal · 101 g |
| 6 kg | 805 kcal · 206 g | 537 kcal · 137 g |
| 10 kg | 1,181 kcal · 302 g | 787 kcal · 201 g |
| 15 kg | 1,601 kcal · 409 g | 1,067 kcal · 273 g |
| 20 kg | 1,986 kcal · 507 g | 1,324 kcal · 338 g |
| 30 kg | 2,692 kcal · 688 g | 1,795 kcal · 458 g |
Because a puppy's weight changes every week, so does the portion. Weigh your puppy every one to two weeks and recalculate, or let a Hero Bowls plan do it for you.
How many meals a day
| Age | Meals a day |
|---|---|
| 8 to 12 weeks | 4 |
| 3 to 6 months | 3 |
| 6 to 12 months | 2 |
| Adult | 2 |
Toy and very small breeds can be prone to low blood sugar, so they may need an extra meal for longer. Measured meals, rather than a bowl left out all day, also make toilet training more predictable.
Large and giant breed puppies
Breeds expected to weigh over about 25 kg as adults need special care. Feed a large-breed puppy food, keep your puppy lean (you should be able to feel the ribs easily), and resist the urge to speed up growth. A slower-growing puppy reaches the same adult size, with less stress on hips and elbows. Many nutritionists also start easing the portion down once a large-breed puppy reaches about 80% of its adult weight.
Treats and training
Training needs lots of rewards, and the calories add up. Keep treats under 10% of daily calories, and use part of the day's kibble as training rewards. Small, soft puppy treats are easy to break into tiny pieces.
When to switch to adult food
| Expected adult size | Switch around |
|---|---|
| Small (under 10 kg) | 9 to 12 months |
| Medium (10 to 25 kg) | 12 months |
| Large (25 to 45 kg) | 12 to 18 months |
| Giant (over 45 kg) | 18 to 24 months |
Make the change gradually over a week. Our switching guide has a day-by-day plan. If your puppy is neutered, recalculate the portion afterwards: energy needs drop.
Foods for puppies
Gosbi ExclusivePuppy MiniFrom $20.00$18.00 on subscription
Gosbi ExclusivePuppy MediumFrom $25.00$22.50 on subscription
Gosbi ExclusivePuppy MaxiFrom $25.00$22.50 on subscription
Petflakes PerformanceMini PuppyFrom $22.00$19.80 on subscription
Petflakes PerformancePuppyFrom $20.00$18.00 on subscription
Gosbi OriginalBabyFrom $20.00$18.00 on subscriptionQuestions
Should I leave food out for my puppy all day?
No. Measured meals let you control the growth rate, notice quickly if your puppy goes off their food, and make toilet training easier.
My puppy always seems hungry. Am I underfeeding?
Puppies are often enthusiastic eaters. Check the body: you should feel the ribs easily under a thin layer of fat, and see a waist from above. If both are true, the portion is right.
Can puppies eat adult food?
Not as their main food. Adult food has less energy and a different mineral balance. Foods labelled for all life stages suit most puppies, except large and giant breeds, which need a food made for large-breed puppies.
How much water does a puppy need?
Fresh water should always be available. Puppies on dry food drink more than puppies on wet food.
This guide is general information for healthy pets, not veterinary advice. If your pet has a health condition, is pregnant, or is losing or gaining weight unexpectedly, talk to your vet.